{"id":3257,"date":"2021-11-24T10:43:05","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T10:43:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/smoking-and-running-%e2%96%ba-the-key-to-quitting\/"},"modified":"2021-11-24T10:43:05","modified_gmt":"2021-11-24T10:43:05","slug":"smoking-and-running-%e2%96%ba-the-key-to-quitting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/smoking-and-running-%e2%96%ba-the-key-to-quitting\/","title":{"rendered":"Smoking and Running \u25ba The Key to Quitting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things people will do even though the evidence is clear that smoking is terrible for your health.<\/span> About one third of the adult population around the world smokes \u2013 among them you\u2019ll also find some who regularly work out. Approximately 5 million people worldwide die from the consequences of smoking each year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Quitting smoking brings huge health benefits and is one of the biggest changes people can make in their lives to get healthy. Running can play an integral role in helping people quit smoking.<\/span><\/p>\n Keep reading to learn about the health risks of smoking, why smoking is bad for running, and how running can help people quit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,800 chemical compounds, 250 of which are harmful to your health. Nicotine is only one of thousands of agents contained in cigarette smoke. The main alkaloid of the tobacco plant is responsible for the addiction cigarettes create. Nicotine both stimulates and calms the central nervous system. When absorbed in the form of cigarette smoke, it takes only 10 seconds for the nicotine to get from the alveoli, or your oral mucosa, into your blood and to the brain. Plus, many of the ingredients of a cigarette react with our genetic material, which can lead to alterations and mutations.<\/p>\n It\u2019s common knowledge that smoking poses a high risk to our health. High blood pressure, artriosclerosis, strokes, cancer, altered blood fat values and an increased risk for thrombosis are just a few of the long-term consequences of smoking. Moreover, smokers suffer from an acute impact on their cardiovascular system. The coronary blood vessels have a reduced diameter, while a smoker\u2019s average heart rate is elevated.<\/p>\n The cardiovascular system is the <\/span>biggest contributor to running performance<\/span>. <\/span>Elevated heart rate<\/span> while running is a further indicator of unhealthy habits. Smokers\u2019 lungs\u2014that feeling of coughing up the insides of your lungs after what should be an easy run\u2014is also a side effect of smoking.<\/span><\/p>\n When in a room with smokers, you automatically (passively) smoke with them. The second-hand smoke you inhale contains the same toxic chemical compounds that can cause cancer. So, also passive smoke can make you sick. Second-hand smoke increases the risk for lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases by up to 30%.<\/p>\n Epidemiological studies indicate that there is no limit below which smoking does not pose a risk to your health. Even the occasional smoke can have serious consequences for your health.<\/p>\n Runners who smoke can improve their performance with training, but not as effectively as non-smoking runners. Studies suggest that smoking has negative consequences on your fitness performance, as the carbon monoxide content of your blood increases when smoking. Carbon monoxide bonds 300 times easier with hemoglobin than oxygen and, therefore, interferes with oxygen transport in your body. When part of your body\u2019s hemoglobin is occupied transporting carbon monoxide, less oxygen can be transported. Non-smokers show a carbon monoxide hemoglobin content of between 0.5 and 2%, whereas the same value increases to 5-10% in smokers.<\/p>\n For endurance sports like running, oxygen transport and supply are decisive. Do without a cigarette before your run and you\u2019re all set? Nope, not enough. Oxygen transport is altered for up to 24 hours after smoking a cigarette, as the nicotine contained hampers the regulation of your blood vessels as well as your lung function. The vessels constrict and less blood passes through.<\/p>\n Bottom line: Smoking and running don\u2019t mix. If you\u2019re serious about running or even just getting healthy, quitting smoking is the fastest way to better performance and health!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\nRisks of Smoking and Smokers Lungs<\/span><\/h2>\n
Careful with second-hand smoke!<\/h2>\n
Even Occasional Smoking Poses Health Risks<\/span><\/h2>\n
Smoking and Running Affects Running Performance<\/span><\/h2>\n